MTL_4runner

Bingo......leaky axle seals can cause either symptom (sticking or ineffective rear brakes). The heat from braking, as long as the leak is fairly small, will cause the oil to turn to resin/tar. If the leak is larger, the oil will soak the shoes and serve to continually lubricate the surface and simply render the rear drums useless during braking.

MTL_4runner

Hey Christian, those holes become useless if you live in a rust belt.....need a PB blaster and a BFH to get them off.
......gets even worse if the shoes stick to the drum.

YotaFun

Ah.. I see
Thank you for the explination
I had huge leak on both sides...
You know how a car that burns oil you have to add a quart or 2 every time you drive it?
I had to do that every time I had to take it to the repair shop (took it to the stealership for the front brekas and then another guy for the rear seal and brake work...)
Still intresting...
Learn Somthin New Everyday!!

gpcollen1

A actually began by tapping to get them off - like you should be able to after adjusting the brakes out. Then I tried a little prying to see if something was sticking. The I found some bolts that fit in those holes and had to turn and tap the drum - eventually she freed up and I replaced the seal.

My brakes were not 'locking' up on me but I can see why they might given the state of mine when I go the drums off. I had the slow leak kind that i took too long to fix.

stirmaster

My 87 4runner has the drivers side rear drum locked up. Seen where others have experienced this due to brake shoes sticking due to seal leaks. I sure hope that is the case and not rear axle damage. If anyone has experienced this please reply

wsudu

So is it really hard to replace the seals? Should I do the bearings as well? Do I need a press......What all is involved?

Adam F

My brakes locked up on my '96 when the seals leaked. I could feel them "pop" going from a stand still.